Agricultural machine.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907. A; A. LAX, e. w. HINSON & J. I. WILLHOIT.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 26. 1907.

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APPLIOATIOI FILED 26. 1907.

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INVENTORS A T'lOR/VE VS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED A. LAX, GEORGE W. HINSON, AND JAMES I. WILLHOIT, OF GRAHAM, TEXAS.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed January 26, 1907. Serial No. 354,339.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED A. LAx, GEORGE W. IIINSON, and JAMES I. WILLHoIr, citizens of the United States, residing at Graham, in the county of Young and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Agricultural Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to agricultural machines and more particularly to machines of this character adapted to be used for chopping cotton, etc. I

The object of the invention is to provide a machine which is of simple and durable construction and which can be drawn along a row of plants and chop or cut them at regular intervals.

Another object is to provide a machine of this character having a cutting or chopping device which can be quickly moved laterally or vertically by the driver so as to bring the same into desired relation with the row of plants.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the; invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the means for throwing the cutter out of operative relation with the drive axle; Fig. 4 is an elevation of a harrow to be used in lieu of the cutting disk; and Fig. 5 is a section through said harrow.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, 1 is the axle of the machine the same being supported by traction wheels 2 which are keyed or otherwise fastened to it so that when the machine is drawn forward the axle will be caused to rotate. Collars 3 are loosely mounted on the axle near the wheels and formed with each collar is a tubular extension 4 and a forwardly extending shoulder 5. Extensions 4 of the two collars have the ends of a yoke 6 secured within them, the intermediate portion of this yoke being disposed above and parallel with the axle 1. Secured upon the intermediate portion of the yoke are the converging side rails 7 of the frame, said side rails preferably consisting of angle irons suitably connected at their front ends by means of a plate 8 or in any other preferred manner. Tubular rails 9 are fastened upon the side rails 7 and support a cross strip 10 of spring metal, the ends of which engage pins 11 upstanding from the rails 9, A seat 12 is secured upon this cross strip and said strip acts as a spring to take up the jars caused by the movement of the machine over rough or uneven surfaces. Braces 13 connect the side rails 7 with the extensions 4 so that the frame of the machine is held in a fixed relation with the yoke 6. A small yoke 14 is secured between the front ends of the side rails 7 and above the plate 8 and extending between this yoke and plate 8 is the tongue 15 of the machine, said tongue being pivoted on a bolt 16 which extends through the yoke 6 and the plate 8. The rear end of this tongue has a stem 17 extending therefrom on which is mounted a roller 18 which bears on the intermediate portion of the yoke 6, as shown particularly in Fig. 2. Posts 19 extend upward from the side rails 7 of the frame and are connected by a retaining guide strip 20 disposed parallel with the intermediate portion of the yoke 6 and above the roller 18 so as to hold said roller in proper position. A plate 21 extends rearwardly from this guide strip and has a lever 22 fulcrumed thereon and provided with an angular depending arm 23 which extends under the yoke 6 and is pivotally connected to the tongue 15 at a point in front of the yoke 6, as shown at 24. Lever 22 is disposed with its grip or handle 25 adjacent the seat 12 so that the driver can readily manipulate it so as to press laterally against the rear end of the tongue and thereby cause the frame and wheels of the machine to change their angle to the tongue.

Pivotally mounted upon the shoulders 5 are forwardly extending strips 26 and secured upon each of these strips is a brace 27 which is pivotedupon a lug 28 extending laterally fiom the yoke 6 near the top thereof. The two strips 26 have eyes 29 thereon in which are disposed the laterally extending ends 30 of a yoke 31. This yoke is inclined as shown and its intermediate portion is secured within a hook 32 formed at the lower end of a bolt 33 swiveled within the tongue 15. The laterally extending ends 30 of the yoke are connected by a cross strip 34.

Secured to one side of the tongue 15 in rear of the pivot 16 is a tubular hanger 35 the same being fastened in place preferably by means of U-bolts 36 disposed upon the upper and lower faces of the tongue and secured to plates 37. This tubular hanger is provided at its lower end with an angular arm 38 bolted to the cross strip 34. A shaft 39 is journaled upon one side of the hanger, as shown at 40, and is provided at its forward end with a large bevel gear 41 while its rear end is angular in cross section, as shown at 42, and is slidably mounted within a tubular shaft 43. This tubular shaft is connected by a universal joint 44 with a short shaft section 45 carrying a bevel gear 46. Shaft section 45 is journaled in an arm 47 loosely engaging'the axle 1 and a hanger 48 extends upward fiom this arm and is secured to one side 7 of the frame of the machine. Gear 46 normally meshes with a gear 49 feathered upon the axle 1 there being a spring 50 which serves to hold said gear 49 normally pressed against the gear 46. In order that the gears may be disengaged a cam lever 51 is pivotally mounted upon arm 47 and by throwing this lever in one direction the same will press against gear 49 and force it out of mesh with gear 46.

Slidably mounted within the hanger 35 is a rod 52 which is angular in cross section so as to conform with the interior of said hanger and thereby hold it against rotating within the hanger. The lower end of this rod has a forwardly projecting yoke 53 in which is journaled a shaft 54 carrying a bevel gear 55. A coiled spring 56 is arranged upon the rod 52 and bears upon the lower end of the hanger 35 and at its other end upon the yoke. An arm 57 extends forward from the yoke and constitutes a bearing for a short shaft 58 carrying a gear 59 which meshes with the gear 55. Shaft 58 is connected by a universal joint 60 with an angular shaft 61 slidably mounted within a bracket 62 extending forward from hangers 35 and a bevel gear 63 is mounted loosely upon this shaft but rotates therewith.

A lifting rod 64 is slidably mounted in bracket 62 and its lower end is secured to arm 57 while its upper end has a plurality of apertures 65, any one of which is adapted to receive a pin 66 extending through the forked end of an arm 67. This arm is formed at one end of a rock shaft 68 journaled on the top of tongue 15 and provided at its other end with an arm 69 curved downwardly and rearwardly therefrom and provided with a treadle 70 at its rear end and in a position where the operator can readily place a foot thereon. A spring 71 is coiled around rod 64 and bears at its ends against bracket 62 and arm 57 respectively.

A cross strip 72 is secured upon the lower faces of the front portions of side rails 7 and has upturned ends 73 adapted to engage and support links 74 connected to the front ends of the strips 26 and to which the swingle trees are adapted to be attached. By providing this cross strip 72 the swingle trees can be readily held above the ground when the machine is not in use.

Secured upon the shaft 54 and at one side of the yoke 53 is a concavo-convex cutting disk 75 having one or more recesses 76 extending thereinto from its periphery. This disk is disposed at an angle to the path of movement of the machine and is detachably fastened upon the shaft in any preferred manner.

It will be understood that when the machine is drawn forward motion will be transmitted from the axle to the cutting disk through gears 49 and 46, shaft 43, gears 41 and 63, shaft 61 and gears 59 and 55. As the disk is arranged at an angle to the path of movement it will be obvious that if the same is drawn along a row of plants said plants will be chopped or out except at those points where the recesses 76 receive the plants. The row of plants will therefore be chopped uniformly throughout its length one or more plants being left standing at regular intervals. Should the operator desire to lift the disk above the row of plants or over any obstruction which may be in the path thereof he merely presses forward on treadle 7 0 so as to cause the arm 67 to pull upward on the lifting rod 64. Rod 52 will therefore be slid upward within hanger 35 and shaft 61 will be moved longitudinally within gear 63. Whenever it is desired to swing the disk to one side so as to assume a desired position in relation to the row the operator grasps the handle 25 and swings lever 22 either to the right or to the left. This will result in changing the angle of wheels 2 to the tongue 15 and the cutting disk 75 will be caused to move toward or away from the row as desired. This swinging movement of the machine results in the roller 18 traveling upon the yoke 6. As yoke 31 is connected to the tongue 15 by the swiveled hook 32 it is obvious that the strips 26 and their braces 27 will swing laterally with the tongue. \Vhenever it is desired to throw the cutter out of gear the gear 49 is disengaged from gear 46 by means of lever 51.

It will be understood that if desired the machine can be used as a harrow instead of a cotton chopper, in which event the disk 75 is detached from shaft 54 and harrow teeth, such as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 substituted therefor. As shown in said figures the teeth 77 radiate from a head 7 8, said teeth being curved from end to end.

The coiled spring 56 serves to hold the cutting disk pressed against the ground and the spring 71 which is located on the lifting rod serves to return said rod and its operating parts to their initial positions after the foot of the operator has been removed from the treadle.

It will be understood that the wheels can be moved inwardly or outwardly to suit the width of the row.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame; of a tongue pivotally mounted upon the frame, manually operated means for swingingthe tongue upon the frame, a rotatable element suspended from and movable with the tongue, and means for transmitting motion to said element from the supporting wheels of the frame.

2. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame; of a tongue pivotally mounted thereon, manually operated means for swinging the tongue laterally upon its pivot, a rotatable element supported by and movable with the tongue, manually operated means for adjusting said element vertically in relation to the tongue, and. means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from the supporting wheels.

3. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame; of a tongue pivotally mounted upon the frame, a spring pressed vertically adjustnble rotatable element suspended from the tongue, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from one of the supporting wheels.

4. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a tongue pivotally secured thereon; of a hanger connected to the tongue, a rotatable element suspended below and movably connected to the hanger, resilient means for exerting a constant downward pressure upon said element, and means for transmitting rotary motion from one of the supporting wheels to said element.

5. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a tongue pivotally secured thereon; of a hanger, a rotatable element suspended below and movably connected to the hanger, means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from one of the supporting wheels, and means for adjusting said element toward or from the hanger during the rotation thereof.

6. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a tongue; of a hanger, a non-rotatable rod slidably mounted within the hanger, a rotatable element carried by said rod, means upon the rod for exerting 'a constant downward pressure upon the element, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from one of the supporting wheels.

7. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a pivoted laterally movable tongue; of a hanger, a rotatable element below and movably connected to the hanger, a lifting rod, means carried by the tongue for actuating the lifting rod to raise or lower the rotatable element, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element, during the adjustment thereof, from one of the supporting wheels.

8. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a tongue; of a tubular hanger, a non-rotatable rod slidably mounted within the hanger, a yoke carried thereby, a spring for exerting a constant downward pressure upon the yoke, a rotatable element carried by the yoke, means for adjusting the rod longitudinally within the hanger to raise or lower the rotatable element, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from one of the supporting wheels during the adjustment of said element.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame; of a tongue pivotally mounted upon the frame, a lever engaging the tongue for swinging the same laterally upon the frame, a rotatable element suspended from the tongue, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from one of the supporting wheels during the lateral movement of the tongue and element.

10. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame, a drive axle, and a tongue pivotally mounted on the frame; of means for swinging the tongue laterally upon its pivot, a hanger suspended from the tongue, oscillatory connections be tween the hanger and axle, a spring pressed rotatable element below and movably connected to the hanger, means for adjusting said element toward or from the hanger, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from the axle during the adjustment of said element,

11. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame and a tongue pivotally mounted thereon; of manually operated means for swinging the tongue laterally, a hanger secured to and suspended from the tongue, a rotatable element below and movably connected with the hanger, means for exerting a constant downward pressure upon said element, a lifting device connected to said element, means for actuating said lifting device, and means operated by one of the supporting wheels for rotating said element during the adjustment thereof.

12. In a machine of the character described the combi nation with a wheel supported axle, a yoke thereon, and a frame carried by the yoke; of a tongue pivotally mounted upon the frame, a roller carried by the tongue and movable upon the yoke, a roller guide disposed adjacent said yoke, a lever connected to the tongue for swinging the same laterally, a rotatable element supported by and movable with the tongue, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said element from the axle.

13. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported axle, a yoke upon the axle, and a frame carried by the yoke; of a tongue pivotally mounted upon the frame, manually operated means for swinging the tongue laterally, a yoke secured to and depending from the tongue, oscillatory connections between said yoke and the yoke on the axle, a hanger secured to the tongue and its depending yoke, a rotatable element below and movably connected to the hanger, and mechanism for transmitting rotary motion from the axle to said element,

14. In a machine of the character described the combi nation with a wheel supported axle, a yoke thereon, and a frame carried by the yoke; of a tongue pivotally mounted on the frame, means for swinging the tongue laterally upon the frame, a hanger secured to the tongue, a rota table element below and movably connected to the hanger, a lifting rod connected to said element, a shaft upon the tongue, an arm thereon engaging said lifting rod, means for rocking the shaft, and means for transmitting rotary motion to said rotatable element from the axle during the adjustment of said element.

15. In a machine of the character described the combination with a wheel supported frame, a tongue pivotally connected thereto, and means for swinging the tongue laterally; of a cutting disk suspended from and movable with the tongue, said disk having an opening extending thereinto from its periphery, and mechanism operated by one of the supporting wheels for rotating the disk during: the movement of the tongue.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own, we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

ALFRED A. LAX. GEORGE W. HINSON. JAMES I. WILLHOIT.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM I. GILMORE, JAMES H. CARTER. 

